11 July Mumbai-Bomb Blast

1. 11 July Mumbai-Bomb Blast 1077Stories of Humiliation, Suffering & Apathy Dr. Kirit Somaiya Ex-Member of Parliament Member BJP National Executive June’ 07

2. Dear Sir, • 11 July 2006 Bomb Blasts of Mumbai is nothing but terrorism followed by humiliation. 7 Blasts in 10 minutes in Mumbai Railways. Various announcements, TV interviews, commitments by State / Central Govt. / Railways to help all victims. • It was going to be lip sympathy. Just after 4 days the story of humiliation started. Support refused for Medical treatments/ Artificial Limbs/ Successive surgeries/ hearing aids etc. Victims / Families were forced to move from pillar to post. • It is story of apathy, red-tapism & corruption. E.g. 11 victim of Thane District have not received State Govt. financial compensation till now.

3. We approached all the authorities and also filed petitions to Human Rights Commission. • Things started moving slowly. Now needs further push. 330 days are over. People are suffering to get financial help / medical help, which they are legally eligible. • Yuvak Pratishthan done field survey of 100 affected people. • We urge all the authorities to pursue / follow-up in getting full help as announced legally. Required to make life of victims little easy. • We can do it. 6 victims have been provided both legs / Artificial Hands / Electronic Wheel Chair …. They have started living a ‘New Life’. • Let us do it. • Dr. KIRIT SOMAIYA GOPAL SHETTY PARAG ALAVANI • Ex Member of Parliament MLA BJP Leader

4. The biggest tragedy in Mumbai • One of the biggest terrorists attack • 7 blasts in 10 minutes • 1077 victims • 187 deaths • 890 injured

5. Objective of terrorists • To create a picture of terror in society • To affect the life of maximum nos. of Mumbaikar • To have long lasting impact and to create fear among the common man • To create terror of terrorists

6. Responses • Society react & respond immediately • Govt. of India, State Govt., Media Channels, Newspapers, Activists, Leaders rushed for help • Whole of the country showed concern • International Community Condemned

7. Visits of Prominent Persons • Prime Minister’s Visit • L.K. Advani, Leader of Opposition Visit • Sonia Gandhi’s Visit • Several Union Ministers • Several Ministers of State Govt • Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Gujarat…..

8. Announcements - Relief work • State Govt. • Central Govt. • Railway Minister • Media Channels • Local Leaders • Local Social Organisations

9. Apathy started after first week • First week every body Sympathetic • After a week …. • Leaders got busy….. • Commitments & Announcements forgotten • Red-tapism started taking its toll • Corruption, humiliation & apathy • Affected forced to move pillar to post • There are good People, Organization, Officials shown Manavata giving Healing Touch

10. The facts • The fact: • State Govt announce Financial Help • Railway announced Compenasation, Medical Help, Job • Hospitals announced treatment • Media appealed for help victims • Social Organisation came forwardfor support

11. The status • 330 days over • 828 received compensation from State Govt. • 1054 received compensation from Railways • Many of the victims do not know the process to get relief • No officials, depts. tried to contact them

12. The status…. • 250 victims not got compensation from State Govt. till date • 200 victim taking treatment on their own • No proper guidance given to them • Only 40% are able to filed claims with Railway Claim Tribunal

13. Railway Claim Tribunal • Total victims – 1077 • 499 Claims filed in all • 176 Death cases, out of which 164 Disposed • 323 Injured cases, out of which 10 Disposed • Others not able to file claims

14. Hearing process of RCT • Hearing once in a month • Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb / Mar, Apr = Total 5 hearing till date • Vacation in May • Total pending cases with the Bench is 3500 • Yearly disposal of cases figured roughly 600 - 650

15. Human Right commission-Intervention • We filed Petition Human Rights Commission • Directives Issued • Monday 4 June once again approched to expedite & fulfill relief • Also approached PMO & Railway Board Chairman

16. Compassionate Jobs in Railway • Government/Railway announced employment to the kin of the 187 dead • Job for permanantly disable also • More than 50 permanently disabled/handicapped. • Less than 15 have got employment • Most of the victims/families eligible are sufferer of red-tapism

17. Victims Suffering till date • More than 100 victims suffering from hearing loss • They need hearing aids and treatment. • Many of the victims have been forced to spend from their own pockets. • Many victims could not get proper treatment due to lack of money.

18. Apathy of system • Apathy of system is evident from the incident • Hon’ble President sent donation of Rs.25 lacs from Rashtrapati Bhavan for the medical treatment of the hearing loss of the Blast victims. • The cheque was sent to Govt./BMC Hospital. • The same was returned to Rashtrapati Bhavan with observation, “There is no need of such help”.

19. New Life with Artificial Limbs • With the help of NGOs/Company, victims, who have lost their major/vital limbs got artificial limbs and have now started New Life e.g. • Mr. Samir Gujarathi has been given artificial electronic leg. He is able to ride motor cycle now. • Mr. Chirag Chavan, a young CA student, has been given electronic chair. Now going to appear for his C.A. Exam. • Mr. Kamlesh Rajbhor lost both the legs in the Blast. Was given two electronic legs by Ottobock Ltd. As restarted selling “Golgappa, Paani Puri business” – started NEW LIFE • There are 6 such persons.

20. Our Observations • 2 patients are still in coma (hospital). • Many people are suffering from hearing loss. • No help, support provided by Railway or State Government for artificial limbs, hearing aids, etc. • State Government has not provided a single paise for medical treatment/help.

21. Our Observations…. • State Government/Mumbai Collectorate has not been able to provide financial compensation to all. • More than 20% victims have not got State Govt. compensation. • Inhuman behaviour of the Government authorities. • Railway, after intervention of NHRC, has paid ex-gratia to almost all the victims.

22. Our Observations…. • In spite of announcement, TV interviews by Ministers, compensation is not paid to all dead or grievously injured or with minor injuries. • For example, 11 victims of Thane District including one dead are yet to receive compensation as the State Government has not provided funds to Thane Collectorate for disbursement.

23. 11 victims of Thane District not received compensation from State govt.

24. Study of 100 Cases out of 1077 • Recently a study / survey conducted of 100 affected • Informations asked for rehabilitation / compensation / status • Our volunteers visited the families and met personally with the questionnaire

26. 100 Survey Details - Analysis • 53 cases received compensation from Railway & State Govt. • 11 victims not yet received any compensation • 34 families filed claim in RCT • 6 persons got job in railways • 22 families unemployed • 16 are under treatment

27. Our Aim & Objectives • Relief & rehabilitation should be part of Disaster Management • Govt. apathy & red-tapism • Commitments be completed before 11 july 2007 • Our objective is to strengthen the system of Disaster Management

28. We Urge • Healing Touch to Defeat Intention of Terrorism • Fulfillment of commitment before 11 July 2007 • Justice • Complete rehabilitation of victims • Early process of claim settlement

29. Action Plan Suggested • Full bench of the RCT Special Bench should hear the Bomb Blast cases. • Senior Railway official should be asked to coordinate, motivate, encourage and help remaining affected victims to file Railway claims. Special help need to be provided for this. (Only 479 claims filed so far out of 1077)

30. Action Plan Suggested… • Provision of artificial limbs. Both Railway and the State Government have refused to help to provide support for artificial limbs, hearing aids, etc. Special arrangement should be made for the same. Both Railway and State Government can help the affected people to get artificial limbs, hearing aids, etc. to lead normal life. • Each case of medical help, medical reimbursement should be re-verified, expenses reimbursed immediately. (Actually, Railway can claim this back at RCT).

31. Action Plan Suggested… • Both the State Government and Railway should be asked to submit full data/details along with receipts of payments made, date of payment of compensation, ex-gratia as per the announcement. • Directives be issued to complete payment of ex-gratia and such other compensation within 15 days. • Proper job of III Grade or IV Grade as per qualification and need of the person should be given.

32. Action Plan Suggested… • Railways may be asked to approach all such people, get in writing their application, give them appointment and submit full detailed statement innext 4 weeks. • Railway Claims Dept. should be asked to approach each and every affected family and get claim filed. They should help, pursue and guide to file the claim at RCT.

33. Action Plan Suggested • Number of victims differs from Department to Department, Ministry to Ministry and Government to Government. One final list of 1077 prepared by Police/Railway should be treated as the base list. All the concerned Departments be asked to provide legally eligible help to minimum 1077 families. • A Coordination Committee under the Chairmanship of Additional General Manager, Western Railway, should be formed to help and monitor all the above.